Assigned to JUD                                                                                                                         FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1137

 

extreme DUI; alcohol concentration.

 

Purpose

 

            Decreases from 0.18 to 0.15 the blood alcohol content (BAC) level required to convict a defendant of extreme driving under the influence (DUI).

 

Background

 

            Laws 1998, Chapter 302 established a separate violation for extreme DUI of intoxicating liquor by specifying that a person with a BAC of 0.18 or greater who operates or is in actual physical control of a vehicle is guilty of extreme DUI.

           

S.B. 1137 provides that a person with a BAC of 0.15 or greater who operates or is in physical control of a vehicle is guilty of driving under the extreme influence of intoxicating liquor. The 0.15 BAC is a recommended safety threshold recognized by the National Traffic Safety Board, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and The Century Council, which represents the liquor industry.

           

The fiscal impact is unknown at this time.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Decreases the BAC level required for conviction of extreme DUI from 0.18 to 0.15.

 

2.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 19, 2001